Opinion Editorials, October 2010

Global Engagement for Equal Human Rights and Ken O'Keefe's Speaking Tour

By Eileen Fleming

Al-Jazeerah, CCUN, October 8, 2010

Global Engagement for Equal Human Rights and Ken O'Keefe's Speaking Tour eileen fleming SPOKANE, Wash.) - Ex-US Marine and defender of the Mavi Mamara, Ken O’Keefe and I landed within five minutes of each other at Portland International Airport on September 19, 2010, greeted by Salem-news.com founders and editors, Tim and Bonnie King, Read Full Article

Salem-news.com is also filming a documentary about the Turkish ship that is owned and was operated by IHH/The Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief, which carried hundreds of citizens of conscience who attempted to break Israel's illegal siege of Gaza, but were attacked by Israel on America's Memorial Day, while sailing in international waters.

On September 23, 2010, the UN released a 56-page document listing a series of crimes committed by Israeli forces during and after the raid, including willful killing and torture, and asserted that there is “clear evidence to support prosecutions. A series of violations of international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law, were committed by the Israeli forces during the interception of the flotilla and during the detention of passengers in Israel prior to deportation."

The panel also concluded that a humanitarian crisis existed in Gaza on the day of the incident in Gaza and “for this reason alone the blockade is unlawful and cannot be sustained in law”. FULL REPORT HERE: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/15session/A.HRC.15.21_en.pdf

Ken O'Keefe began his two week non-stop speaking tour through Oregon, Washington State and Victoria, Canada, stating, “I see this world as a move-able object and any sane person can see the world needs to be changed and I believe we can do it."

On the ninth day of the tour, we traveled to Dr. Bill Dientz', lake front cabin on Sun Lake. Bill has been to Gaza five times and was aboard the first Freedom Flotilla. That night Ken shared his favorite movie with us, V For VENDETTA.

The most memorable scene for me, was at the end when V says "Ideas are Bulletproof."

And inspired by Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, I imagined people of many homelands raising their flags all over the world on 30 October 2010, for THE ENGAGEMENT FOR EQUAL HUMAN RIGHTS and an End to All Occupations.

3:08 Global Engagement for Human Rights The statehood of Israel was contingent on upholding the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights

PREAMBLE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people, Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

Article 13. (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.

(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

Article 19. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Eileen Fleming, Producer "30 Minutes with Vanunu" and "13 Minutes with Vanunu" Founder of WeAreWideAwake.org Staff Member of Salem-news.com A Feature Correspondent for Arabisto.com and Dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/ Author of "Keep Hope Alive" and "Memoirs of a Nice Irish American 'Girl's' Life in Occupied Territory" and BEYOND NUCLEAR:Mordechai Vanunu's FREEDOM of SPEECH Trial and My Life as a Muckraker: 2005-2010 http://www.youtube.com/user/eileenfleming

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